One Pie Crust Recipe:

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a mixing bowl, stir together flour and salt. Cut in 1/2 of the vegetable shortening using two knives or a pastry blender, or rub between your fingers until the mixture has lumps the size of walnut pieces. Cut in remaining shortening until small pea sized crumbs remain.

Put 1/2 cup water into a metal bowl with some ice and measure out 2-1/2 to 3 tablespoons of iced water and sprinkle this over the flour mixture while stirring with a fork until you can form a ball of dough that is not sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

Turn dough out onto a clean work surface dusted lightly with flour. Flatten into a circular shape and roll gently outward from the center, turning occasionally to keep bottom from sticking. Continue to roll out until dough is 1/8-inch thick.

Turn the pie pan over onto the rolled out circle and using a butter knife, cut about 1 inch margin larger than the pie dish. Fold the dough into half and drape over the rolling pin, then flip the pie dish and place the pie crust lightly (do not press or stretch the crust) into the pan, fitting it loosely. Mend tears by pressing torn edge together with a drop of water; or use small pieces of leftover crust to patch larger tears.

Trim edges using a knife or scissors, leaving at least 1/2 inch; fold under then flute into a scallop shape by pressing between thumb and forefinger or decorate as desired with cutout shapes or a twisted rope of leftover dough.

Preheat oven to 475°F. Prick bottom of crust thoroughly with fork dipped in flour.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Use in any pre-baked single pie crust recipe.

Two Pie Crust Recipe:

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2/3 cup vegetable shortening
4 1/2 - 5 tablespoons ice cold water
1 teaspoon salt

Follow above directions for one-crust pie crust; it is not necessary to pre-bake bottom crust. Use as directed in your pie recipe.

1. Fit bottom crust.
2. Add filling.
3. Fit top crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven according to your recipe.